It looks like Hardy is set on maximizing his current situation, which means the Panthers best chance of retaining him for another season could be via the franchise tag.

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Panthers DE Greg Hardy recently mentioned that he and the Panthers have yet to engage in talks regarding a long-term contact extension.

“They are still working on their cap situation as I understand,” Hardy said, via Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer. “We’re playing the waiting game right now…. If they can afford me, man, I’d love to be there. That’s my team. My family. We got a good thing going right now.”

Fowler adds that the franchise tag remains a possibility for Hardy, but concedes that there is a chance that the Panthers allow Hardy to walk away during free agency.

Greg Hardy is coming off a 15 sack season, and is in line for a major pay increase. Carolina should have roughly $16 million in available cap space to work with, but a long-term deal could run them as much as $70 million with $40 million of that guaranteed. Applying the franchise tag to Hardy is an option, but that too would likely cost the Panthers close to $12.6 million fully guaranteed next season.

Hardy, 25, has mentioned that he no issues with the Panthers franchising him during the offseason, but that is a large some of guaranteed money, so it would make sense for Carolina to consider a long-term that would limit his 2014 cap figure.

Undoubtedly, the Panthers would like to keep Hardy, but he is represented by Drew Rosenhaus, who is known for steering his clients towards the most lucrative deal.

As far as I am concerned they need to figure out a way to sign Hardy. Like Mike, I am definitely not done at yelling kraken at the tv. Drew Rosenhaus does have a reputation as being a tough negotiator. I was hoping they would sign him to a new contract during the season to avoid a situation like they have now where he has maximized his value with those 7 sacks in the last two games. You develop players like Hardy so you can keep them for the long term.

ahrcshaw

No question Mr G will work on Cam, the Cap, Gross, others that are well needed, then Hardy. Hardy and his agent can talk all they want at this point, Mr G knows he wants a ton of money, as well as knowing Hardy needs the other front 6 as more then the other front 6 need him. That’s not to say hardy is not a good player or deserves a pay raise, but you don’t sink the ship to get at its mast.